darkroom demons

2011-01-06T12:57:00.000-06:00

We've MOVED! Follow us on tumblr for our new lifestyle based flowchart.

A Muppet Wicker Man

2010-03-07T04:06:00.001-06:00

SxSw Preview: The Green Label Sound Showcase

2010-03-03T14:10:00.008-06:00

Sir Reeves is headed back to the state of Oil and Bush! In 3 weeks, he will be entrenched in the coolest music parties in the country. While we can't give all the details away, just take a look at some of last year's galleries to fuel your curiosity.

South by Southwest: Perez Hilton Party

South by Southwest: Fader Fort

South by Southwest: Green Label Sound Showcase 2009

South by Southwest St. Patrick's Day

Alkaline Trio - This Addiction (Photos by Darkroom Demons)

2010-02-23T18:31:00.005-06:00

Leave it to one of our favorite bands on the planet to make us look cool. Usually, we like to say its the other way around- but it was the keen eye of Dan Andrianno who asked for us to shoot them for today's release, This Addicition. The results are in the lyric booklet, the album's back and insert (both the regular LP and special edition). We shot all of content on the first day during what we considered our own private concert at their Lincoln Park studio. You can see all the pics HERE. This was back in October so the wait had etched a huge bloody question mark into our curious brains if they would end up using any of the shit at all. To say that we were humbled and grossly excited today upon seeing the final album is an understatement. Thanks to Carlos, Blair, Matt, Dan, and Derek for giving us a shot at getting on shelves with them!

This Week Alkaline Trio plays with Cursive at the Metro on Saturday and Sunday. Both shows are sold out. Pics to follow!

Party of the Week: NYC edition

2010-02-18T20:26:00.004-06:00

Nicky Digital, Igor and Sir Reeves walk into a bar and go up to the bartender and say: "Hey, we're here to take yer wimmen, your wine and your whiskey." Bartender raises an eyebrow and says "Okay, but only if you put your cameras down. Patrons are complaining of having epileptic seizures from all the strobes."

"Okay, how about just the whiskey then?"

Cheers to Jess and everyone else in NYC for taking care of the demon seed.

3 "5-Minute Portraits"

2010-02-16T22:19:00.006-06:00

So last night I had a cool assignment here in Chicago courtesy of our buddy Dino G from SpyBar. There was a little soiree at Green Dolphin Street with 2 Londoners and one Turkish girl rocking out the house in the main room. Part of my gig was to do some portraits of the artists. I had only a few minutes with each and had to come up with different settings (easy to do in such a large room). The results are coming in the gallery but here's a sneak- All were shot with my protege Gerda holding the flash at various locations to create the dramatic light.Oh, and then there was this chick. Yowza.

Semi Precious Weapons - The #1 Music Video

2010-02-15T11:09:00.006-06:00

Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons | MySpace Music Videos

It was only a matter of time before the world we know understood what the fuck we've been screaming about for the last few years. Fresh off the national tour with someone called Lady GaGa, the pure adrenaline glam rock genius of Justin, Dan, Stevy and Cole is finally getting the proper treatment with the above video for their call to arms:"Semi Precious Weapons". Did we mention it is currently the #1 video on Myspace Music right now? That's right- fierce bitches who can't pay the rent are getting their due!

Our dear friends Igor and Bronques were on hand getting girls and boys naked in between takes. You can find their respective galleries here:

Driven By Boredom

Last Nights Party

And if that ain't cool enough, Sir Reeves is in NYC with them right now and shot a few pics at the MAC party where they scorched the eyebrows off of designers like Richie Rich and Party/Fashion photog The Cobrasnake. The few pics on this post will have to suffice as a sneak peek until Matt is done with his little sojourn. Big fucking love to SPW again for all the backscratching!

The Shame of Meeting Snooki

2010-02-08T09:19:00.011-06:00

So despite my pleas to be an unbiased gossip reporter, our old friend Perez Hilton has opted not to run some juice on his new object d'affection Nicole "Snooki" Spazzatollimoscticholli. Playing favorites in journalism is a no-no unless its op-ed. His avoidance of the following information suggests that in fact he is hell-bent on keeping this anomaly famous as long as possible.

Let me apply orange paint to what went down when both myself and Manor's "It Girl" Gia introduced ourselves to Snooki. Mind you, I dressed for the occasion with a fake tan, awful half cocked hat and Coney Island shirt so I imagined it would be an easy sell. Also, I had already spent time talking to her obviously embarrassed mother and wasted 40 minutes blocking amateur paparazzi children at Manor from getting a nasty crotch shot of her. So I figured my good deeds would have created a warm feeling by the time I got to RiNo and all the hubbub was over. Boy, do I have an unnatural sense of joy and optimism when dealing with these things...

The following conversation occurred twice: Once, 30 minutes earlier at Manor when Gia was to be introduced. The second time was when I arrived at RiNo and sat next to her and her mom...

Us: Hi Nicole! Nice to meet you! I'm so and so...

Nicole aka Snooki turns her back, rolls eyes, ignores us.

Lauren: She only answers to "Snooki"

Gia: Are you fucking kidding me? Bwahahhahaha...

Me: (to Snooki's Mom who has just given me a embarrassed shrug) I garner she just can't hear me. Must be the hair. Have a good night ya fucking mooks. (Cries in disbelief that this is what the world has come to)

Well, there you have it. Our obsession with celebrity has given meteoric rise to a Melanoma rich, foul mouthed, Oompa Loompa zombie who now won't even answer to her Christian name. Not that I'm surprised but if this is any indication of what Americans consider talent we only have ourselves to blame. (Have you seen the Red Carpet interviews at the Grammys?)

Whereas Jwoww was a real person and has her head on straight, this fucking child clown deserves nothing more than a pat on the back and kick out the door. Good for MTv for lowering the bar so low that Heidi Montag now looks like Princess fucking Di.

Though it could be possible that she wasn't amused at my costume change but I doubt she can see past her pursed lips. Still, I ran home and scrubbed my fake make-up based tan off while crying in the shower. Despite my callous exterior, I'm really quite sensitive to these things...

Gia: Bwahahahahahaha!!

(Snooki's mortified but pleasant mother Helen is to the left...)

Thanks again to the folks at Manor for putting us in the coolest places ever...

Dinner with Jwoww

2010-01-25T22:30:00.014-06:00

I woke up today at an ungodly hour after a massive hangover/recuperation from this weekend's frantic schedule/binge realizing a few things: One- I have completely abandoned this blog to the ennui of winter and need to regroup with people that want to read the occasional literary romp that shed light on Chicago's self-indulgent party scene as well as look at our pretty pictures. There's certain perks to our job and its only fair we share the wicked fun shit with everyone we experience. I am guilty of being an introverted 16 year old for the last six months, alone in a love lost with puppy dog drug filled eyes wonderin what happens next. Item number two- After Conan O'Brien's farewell speech, which reinforced how I feel about being cynical, I am determined to take these old bones and cover them in a fresh new sinewy attitude of optimism and hope whilst our world spins periously out of control. This year's first victim of my reinvigorated joie de vivre was Jenni Woww from MTV's mega-smash "Jersey Shore".
There had been a lot of speculation around the appearance of Jersey Shore's Jwoww and Snooki after they canceled to remain in LA the week before from their appearances at Manor and Rino.. Though I have never seen the show, you can't surf the web or see a magazine without some reference to the mega-sensation that is the Jersey Shore. To me, Jersey Shore is an evil place where a teenage boy told me in 1981 the day after I saw the Empire Strikes Back that indeed Darth Vader was Luke's Father. While Snooki opted to attend P-diddy's 16 year old's Sweet-Ass "Got my Maybach" Sixteen, Jwoww and her boyfriend Tom from her hometown came to the a suprisingly balmy Chicago and joined the LGN group's Lauren D. and myself for dinner at the Viagra Triangle's own Tavern on Rush. Despite the hemmoraging crowds in NY that resulted in a few arrests for disorderly behavior the night before, we were more than surprised to hear that just the two of them would be our guests that evening. Usually these things can spiral out of control before reservations are confirmed with agents, hanger ons, douchebags and managers. Instead, it would be an intimate dinner of four strangers, two of whom had never even watched the main attraction's show.
One of the biggest problem's going into a situation like this is the initial awkwardness. Jwoww had just been on a whirlwind tour of LA and NYC with guys like Leo DiCaprio coming up to her and taking pics and citing the lingo of their reality/sitcom. So imagine the surprise behind their calm eyes of coming out of their hotel suite to find two yahoos from the MidWest waiting with a taxi cab, one of whom is wearing eyeliner and sparkling sapphire shoes and neither who had any knowledge of the show's antics. Ok, Lauren was wearing eyeliner too. Moving on...

Lauren and I are no strangers to celebrity in our fair city but we were more than excited about Jwoww because of the debauchery displayed by the fans who showed up the week before. I personally was horrified at the blatant displays of fist pumping, pussy grinding and vodka breath that permeated the room at Manor when Snooki didn't show. It was a blight on my swollen spine and aching elbow, fighting these little fucking monsters for two hours as they demanded to be immortalized on the internet. The choice demographic proved that they didn't care about my old age...they would party harder than anyone in honor of the MTV superstars, despite the void of the show's stars.

So when the phone call came earlier that Saturday to attend dinner with Jwoww I knew I was in for something. I had to do a little homework and found a website of an ambitious girl who resembled my slightly accented, tough talking, and down to earth friends from Bridgeport or Harlem Ave . And at dinner, it was all confirmed: There was no pretension, no judgment- Only laughter, commonality and heartfelt friendship. She's like a character out of a Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel song- just making a living, doing the best she can do and not stepping on anyone in the way. For once, dinner was not filled with people twittering or texting. We all ate and listened to each other like new found friends and I believe we all surprised each other with the ease of our time together. The subject matter of conversation is something left always to be left at the dinner table unless you're a gossip columnist, but the impression is what matters the most. And this is what I've told people for two days: Jwoww rocks and deserves anything she wants.

However, I can say that the stick of Porterhouses and Fillets had a convincing measure of making us want naps, oral sex or more drinks. That being said, the kids from NY went to the hotel for a lay down and I joined Tiger Woods mistress #3 Jaimee Grubbs for some much needed....drinks. Thought I was gonna say oral sex, didn't ya?

More to come on the dinner series...
Thank you to the LGN Group for having the continued belief that I can bring something to their increasingly amazing company and to David, Tom, Morgan, Aaron Collins, Lauren, Irene, Jaimee and of course my new favorite MTV girl, Jenni Woww.

(Yes, That's Jaimee with a Tiger Woods GatorAde!)

Remembering Gaga and SPW before they ruled the world...

2010-01-08T14:58:00.004-06:00

This weekend, Lady Gaga invades Chicago much differently than 18 months ago, let alone last summer. Her show was so oversold they originally moved the Chicago Theatre shows to the United Center but protests from ticket holders resulted in a compromise at the Rosemont theatre. Sir Reeves is the only photographer invited to shoot anything at the show and Gaga is off limits. We have to thank our friends at Semi Precious Weapons for making it all happen and hope that the Fame Monster doesn't eat everyone alive! In an effort to fuel the hype, here are some pics of Gaga and SPW from not so long ago, when large nightclubs and small venues were just the beginning of the greatest music revolution this century.

Click Here for Lady Gaga's first Chicago appearance...

Make love to this underline for more vintage Gaga.

Click Here to see SPW performing at SXSW 2009!

And more pics of SPW here at the Metro

Stanley's Kitchen and Tap: Home of the Sticky Stomach

2010-01-08T14:43:00.004-06:00

December was a little busy for us. And couple that with egg nog/ grog related illnesses from our exploits in the evening and it partially explains my lack of dedication to updating the blog. That being said, here is one gig we had for our dear friend Donnie Kruse over at Stanley's Kitchen and Tap (1970 N. Lincoln 312.642.0007) where we not only shot but sampled some of Chicago's finest comfort food found in the pictures above. The Barn Burger, Andouille Sausage with Shrimp and Grits, and a mouth watering sirloin with jalepeno mashed potatoes. If you haven't been, make an effort. If you only thought they had live band karoke and awesome drink specials, think again. This time, with your stomach!

Jingle Bell Rock: Q101's Twsted Fest!!

2009-12-12T19:14:00.006-06:00

While many are hearing the bells of Salvation Army workers and cash registers, we are getting ready to hear our ears ring for the next five days. For the 3rd year in a row, we are honored to be the official photogs for Q101's Twisted Fest. This year the line up is simply insane and instead of the typical 3 day affair, this year we have a full five days of brilliant music of bands like Breaking Benjamin, The Used, 30 seconds to Mars, The Bravery, and Rise Against. I'd love to advertise it as something you can go to, but with the exception of Tuesday...its all sold out and has been for months.

To see pics from 2007 with Silverchair, Coheed and Cambria, Silversun Pickups and more click here, here and here.

For 2008 with Scott Weiland, Hollywood Undead and Coldwar Kids, here's Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

Stephen Graham as Combo...

2009-12-11T04:58:00.003-06:00

Everyone this week who has been asking about Stephen Graham can now get a glimpse of his turn as countryside white supremacist COMBO. Enjoy.

REHAB MONDAYS wins Paper Mag's Best Party of the Year, Derek and Ricky Snubbed

2009-12-10T18:22:00.009-06:00

While Dicky C and Derek Berry, the masterminds behind Rehab Mondays, One Night Stand and Team Bayside High were in attendance at PaperMag's Nightlife Awards last night in NYC, the New York hipster reader proved once again that it doesn't really care about the devils in the details. I am referring, of course, to the above picture which ran today on Papermag.com depicting Debonair's Red Hair Matt and Stephanie Niedospedal as the "Rehab Crew". Technically, because they work at Debonair, I guess they are the "crew" but the photo snub of of the two hard working kids is notable.In an effort to remind our New York and local readers why Dicky C and Derek deserve such acclaim, we have posted a small evolution of the party as it incubated at EvilOlive before getting absorbed by our loved ones at Debonair. Despite the hilarity of this, a huge congrats is due to the dynamic duo and Debonair for telling New Yorkers that we know how to party.

The proof is in the pudding in just a few of the galleries we shot HERE, here and HERE!

Public Enemies: Stephen Dorff and Stephen Graham

2009-12-09T21:36:00.009-06:00

As I sit by my window, watching Chicago's mail delivery system collapse in tundra-like conditions, I realize that my Netflix are doomed to remain in limbo indefinitely. I am impatiently awaiting Michael Mann's newest ouvre "Public Enemies" so that I can see this goddamn gangster shitshow the way it was meant to be seen: In my living room, where my outbursts won't disturb anyone but my neighbors above, below and on both sides of me. While I have no doubt that Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard are fabulous, personally I feel the movie rests upon the performances of the two "Stephens" who single handedly rocked our fair city's nightlife to its knees and took a few pairs of reluctant panties with them. These two hoodlums chose to go out EVERY FUCKING NIGHT while filming, sometimes even driving back from the nether-regions of Wisconsin to make last call. I am most intrigued to see if this unruly decadence is at all evident in either of their performances, but am prepared to be disappointed by stellar performances in lieu of red-eyed stumbling.Dorff's presence alone became the reason to go out every night for 4 months- not because of his history in American cinema or congenial attitude, but knowing that he would want to purchase huge prints of photos we took of his nightly antics the next day. His generosity and enthusiasm for our photos could only be matched by the surprise visit from English actor Stephen Graham. Graham, who played the most terrifying English countryside White Supremacist 'COMBO' in "This Is England" and the mousey 'Tommy' in "Snatch" opted to sleep in Dorff's palatial pleasure palace on the couch rather than utilize the hotel provided for him by production. While going out for cocktails with King Orba (Mark Wallace) and Candy Darling (Dorff in "I shot Andy Warhol") was always a hoot, it was the mere presence of the wide smiling Graham who throttled the nights to 11.

The fanboy urge it took to resist saying "Protection from what? Ze Germans?" to Graham ebbed quickly during the first week as I realized he is also in nearly every early Arctic Monkeys video. This led to mutliple conversations about the rancour of Pete Doherty, the inevitably sad fall of The Libertines and the future of Liverpool's rock contributions. Couple these late night discussions with Dorff's insatiable teenager horniness for, well, every girl within 200 yds and it made for a great 4 months. You can see more of their antics HERE and HERE in the original presentations until we put the coffee table book together.

Major shout out ot Mark Wallace aka King Orba who facilitated all of our relationships, needs and general attitudes. His music can be found HERE.

New Chromeo rocks us Night by Night

2009-12-06T15:55:00.001-06:00

Anything that is described as a "disco masterpiece" in 2009 must be only that. Read and find out why...

From Green Label Sound.com: "Chromeo is Pee Thugg and Dave 1: best friends since their adolescence and virtuoso musicians. Pee and Dave met in 1993. “I really didn’t like him at first,” Pee recalls, “because I was with mostly hip hop kids and he was hanging out with the skaters and listening to rock and roll.” But bonding over their shared love for funk, the two became inseparable. After spending the last couple of years in support of their triumphant Fancy Footwork album, Chromeo teamed up with Green Label Sound to offer a sneak peak of their upcoming musical odyssey, and their first original song since 2007: the heroic, guitar-laded, disco masterpiece “Night by Night.”

Christmastime at the Ritz

2009-12-01T13:50:00.006-06:00

This time of year, regardless of religious affiliations or lack thereof, its always a good time to remember what we're grateful for. With us, its usually clients and our careers. Such is the case with The Four Seasons Hotels who have kept us as the occasional photog of their food, promotions and occasional interior nuance for nearly 3 years. Last week I took on the American Girl Christmas Tree at the Ritz-Carlton, a haunting yet delightful display of voodoo dolls aimed at destroying testosterone across the world. All joking aside, it was a lovely assignment. Thanks to Terri Hickey at the Four Seasons for being one of our favorite people on the planet to work for.

Waylaid: The Sounds Gallery and Video

2009-12-01T12:11:00.003-06:00

There's never enough nice things to say about our favorite band from Sweden, The Sounds. Sir Reeves has had the pleasure of shooting them in several states across our fair nation and I was a fringe player every time they DJ'd in the city. But that doesn't excuse the profound guilt I have of putting up the gallery 2 weeks late. In fact, this late post convinces me that I have wronged our readers and fellow facebookers by denying them exposure to Maija and the boys. Consider this an effort to right such erroneous behavior.This photo of me staring down Maija ran on Tascha's SPIN.com blog. Check out www.redwallphoto.com for more of her amazing work!

Dont know who Don Diablo is? Get down with this...

2009-11-29T20:46:00.002-06:00

Sir Reeves pointed out that we need to "educate" our fellow music lovers about the merits of Don Diablo who we are partying with on Dec 10th. All the sudden, I can't stop dancing in my living room. Thankfully, I am fully clothed. But I have a feeling you could get your mate to undress to this one...

A Devilish good party: Don Diablo, Darkwave Disco and Darkroom Demons.

2009-11-27T15:40:00.003-06:00

In two weeks, we are going to be tethered to a smashing good time with legendary DJ Don Diablo and Chicago's own prodigal sons Dark Wave Disco at Spy Bar. We need to bring the essence of great music and art back to the clubs and what better way than to cram as many monikers using double down "Ds" onto one flyer. What better way, indeed?

The Flow of Bob Gruen

2009-11-12T06:10:00.007-06:00

Its late at night. Scratch that- Its early in the morning and finally the Hi-Def version of "Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai" is on Mark Cuban's HDMOV. Forget Frank Silva or Forrest Whittaker... I can only think of legendary rock photographer Bob Gruen's 61st birthday party nearly 4 years ago. It was the first time I heard mention of Semi-Precious Weapons by BP Fallon (legendary Irish photog and DJ that night).. It was when I saw Deborah Harry skate by and Mick Jones (The Clash, not Foreigner) Carla Rhodes the Comedian and god Mick Rock move about the same room. And then there was Jarmusch. I was a novice and I begged him for a photo but he was the first hard deny I ever endured- Granted I had no place walking amongst such giants but it is now everytime I hear a frenchman sell ice cream or shoot the RZA backstage that I cant help but think that Jim was the one that got away... Ah.. Nostaligia.

Time Out Shout Out!

2009-11-11T14:04:00.004-06:00

Our friends at Time Out (like music and nightlife scribe John Dugan) have pillaged darkroom demons for a humongo gallery of our Halloween highlights. Sure, you're thinking football, family and turkey but that doesn't mean you can ignore the 500 plus photos we put up of costumed shenanigans from just two weeks ago. Thanks TOC!

Free Music to Make November Warm

2009-11-04T06:30:00.003-06:00

So Yeah... We've been swamped. Reeves is killing it in NYC and I'm regaining consciousness everynight in Chicago as we try to unite the worlds of web-ites, music whores and dancing queens across the nation. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy our spoils too! Below is a link to download some of the greatest music going on right now beyond the borders of the internet. It can be yours for free; On your iPod, your computer or wherever it is you fiends masturbate to amazing jams. Take it and thank Green Label Sound for supply top acts like Chromeo, Matt and Kim, Solid Gold, Amazing Baby!, Flosstradamus and Holy Ghost.

Click Here to take all you can.

You're Welcome.

Dan Black will paint your soul right.

2009-10-29T06:57:00.002-05:00

Dan Black - Yours from Darkroom Demons on Vimeo.

CMJ brought some of the UK's finest and Dan Black shagged the shit out of everyone. Watch and listen and learn. The video is just the teaser... the photos will speak in louder decibels.

Spooky Parties of the Week! The Halloweenie edition.

2009-10-28T12:34:00.007-05:00

Halloween is unfortunately upon us and it begins four days early on this wonderful Wednesday at Angels and Kings for the Rockstar costume and live band karaoke ball. Hosted by Ryan Manno and Cheeky Chicago, its a good excuse to get all yer ya yas out and shake your tail feathers drunkenly in front of fellow music lovers. Starts at 10 PM.

Tomorrow at Angels and Kings, the dress up continues as local DJs Heaven Malone, Members Only AV and La Dolce Vita are dressed up like several musical icons (See the above poster) in an effort to get the hipsters out of their current costumes and into something relatively clean. Unfortunately, we will be at another outing that evening....

The Perfect Circus is ressurected! Thursday marks the 3rd anniversary for Debonair Social Club and Chicago's finest supergroup The Perfect Circus (Alkaline Trio, Local H and Kill Hannah!) are gonna deliver another tour de force for the inebriated zombies revelling in the coolest "couple based costume contest" all week. Winners get free bottle service for the evening from Belvedere. Not bad! Party starts at 10 PM and goes til 2 AM. Guaranteed standing room only so get there as the moon begins to shine.

Friday Night Oct. 30th is a secret. If you're not on the list, then we won't see you. Sorry kids. Trick or Treat! Here's a clue though.Terrifying, no?!?

Saturday Oct. 31st is the night to get your bloody charity for the fourth fiscal quarter out of the way by supporting the Chicago Cultural Center Galaween with Co-Chairs Scott Cannon, Lally Daley and David Weinstein. You can order the $75 tix in advance HERE or pay $90 at the door. With costume prizes reaching $1000, this is the best bourgeouis party of the week with Chicago's young movers and shakers getting together for a great cause. The old folks home does the same gig on Friday, so be sure you know what day it is that you get your groove on. Our brother from another mother DJ Whiteshadow is the table scratcher and we'll drop by to take a few pics.

For the hippest place on Saturday night, Sonotheque rules with some our current favorite music showcased at the Spandexxx.010 UR Chicago jam. With Dragonette (Live) and DJ sets by Moneypenny, Kid Color, Heaven Malone and Midnight Conspiracy this is the coolest late night set unless you want to get R&B old schooled, in which case you come to....A Night at the Roxbury with Montell Jordan at Manor. Nothin' says Trick or Treat like a little smooth soul in a pumpkin candy container to close out the weekend. Montell will be bringing the hits live to the ghoulish greenspenders at River North's A-list hangout.

Parties of the Week: Chromeo in NYC, Betsey Johnson, and the DJ Hero Release Party!

2009-10-22T05:26:00.008-05:00

Sir Reeves is currently in NYC covering CMJ and is shooting the coolest party of the week for Green Label Sound featuring Chromeo, Theophilus London, Amazing Baby and Solid Gold. Unfortunately, the RSVP channel is closed but if you happen to be in Brooklyn on Friday night, The Brooklyn Bowl will be the hottest party in town.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, I will be at enclave snapping the Betsey Johnson Cancer Awareness fashion show on Friday evening. For $25, you can be fashionably conscious as a charity drinker.

And then on Saturday, The LGN group, Outfit events, and Activision are having the DJ Hero release party at Manor. The hype behind this new video game franchise is pretty high, especially as DJ AM was a proponent and significant contributor to it before his horrible end. We're psyched to have Discotech bring the noise that night. Not sure if the game will be on hand, but its always good to celebrate video games with booze.

THe Michigan Ave Oct issue - We go Culinary too!

2009-10-19T04:06:00.005-05:00

This month's Michigan Avenue features an eight page advertorial section in which we supplied 90% of the photography. People ask us alot what we do for a living and the answer is simple: We take photographs. Food is always a learning experience and after 2 weeks in, our comfort ability with quick set ups and short shoot times became second nature. We hit Gene and Georgetti, Brazzaz, Picolo Sogno, Stefani's on Rush, Chicago Chop House, Labriola Bakery in Oak Brook, Sushi Samba, and Zodiac at Nieman Marcus. We'd like to thank Tara Reid, Susanna Negovan and Dan Uslan for giving us a shot and a huge chunk of the magazine to showcase our skills. Above are a few choice shots that compose our daytime efforts.

Party of the WeeK: Modern Vintage Fashion Explosion! (updated with Pictures!)

2009-10-16T08:52:00.003-05:00

Enjoy on-the-spot styling, fashion shows, cocktails,
on-site seamstress, disco and more!

Photos are now up for your perusal of the greatest vintage collection in Chicago!!!

Saturday's Schedule!

$8 at the door.

When: 10 - 7 PM

Where: 30 N. Racine

What: At the VINTAGE DEALERS SHOW, you’ll find the best Vintage dealers carrying clothing, estate & costume jewelry, handbags, shoes, hats, belts, scarves, vanities, textiles, vintage fashion magazines, patterns, notions and much more. There will be plenty of Mid-Century, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Victorian items at the show plus beautifully preserved '60s & '70s era designer treasures. View & purchase items from classic designers such as Halston, Chanel, Hermes, Vivienne Westwood, Pucci, Dior and many others. Special opportunity to meet and learn from Abigail Rutherford, Director of Vintage Couture & Accessories at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers!

At the INDIE DESIGNER SHOW you’ll find contemporary haute creators of wearable adornments including clothing, jewelry & gemstones, purses & bags, shoes, hats, belts, scarves, and tons of other fashion accessories. There will also be organic & sustainable designed products as well as new-fangled, vintage inspired, and culturally-fused items. Each atelier will have a distinct vibe you’ll want to strut.

Sponsors include Sofia Vintage, Elite, Sensational Steps, Second City Style and yours truly.

Guess what we did this weekend....

2009-10-12T05:04:00.002-05:00

More to come from the Chicago's fortunate sons Alkaline Trio....

Pam.

2009-10-10T20:07:00.003-05:00

Signs of the Apocalypse: This week's strangest parties

2009-10-07T01:44:00.002-05:00

Its never in good taste to berate our clients. Instead, we are going to promote what is certainly the strangest pair of parties all week, both which can be found at River North's super club, enclave. First off, Cascada is coming to lip synch all of your favorite anonymous club anthems on Thursday, which will probably cause all the Ed Hardy and Affliction shirts to pop off each 'roided flexed chest in a cacophony of "Bro!!!!" calls during "Evacuate the Dancefloor." As if it couldn't get any stranger, The Liposuction Cosmetic Institute is hell-bent on convincing the already grotesque and insecure clientele that they are in desparate need of some sort of reconstructive adjustment, whether it be nose, breasts, abs, ass or even calves. The butchers are coming so if you're set on upping your own personal evolution, this party is for you.

Oh, and rest assured. Sir Reeves will be there capturing everyone.

Best Bets: Parties of the week

2009-10-07T01:07:00.002-05:00

This week there's a few tasty treats that have our livers pulsating with the sickening sound of pure thirst. Butthole Surfers are gonna be at The Metro Wednesday evening, Richie Rich and Pamela Anderson are gonna be showing The Horseshoe Casino's Venue their hipster meets aging icon sensibilities to whomever makes the trek to Indiana on Friday evening and finally Aoki returns for a tete a tete with Trancid, Corner and Gertz at Crobar on Saturday Night. Where are you gonna be?

The Darkroom Demons/ Everyone is Famous Podcast!

2009-09-28T20:30:00.003-05:00

Q101's Electra and Jaime Black

Last week we had the incredible pleasure of sitting next to Clayton Hauck and have a fire-less fireside chat into a couple of microphones with the extremely talented writer and Local 101 host, Jaime Black. Ever the purveyor of Chicago music and the lifestyle that surrounds it, Jaime runs a blog called Chicago Verse United which serves as a waypoint for his passions between his tireless efforts to unearth everything and everyone that is trying to make Chicago great. Clayton and I get down into the nitty gritty of who where what and why we do what we do.

CVU06 SCSSS03 EveryoneIsFamous/DarkRoomDemons Special - ChicagoverseuniteD

Click HERE to Download the Podcast

or HERE to stream it!

A little dab will do you....

2009-09-21T18:03:00.003-05:00

Last week brought alot of excitement in strange settings. I'm a firm believer that while a little Bruce Weber never hurt the straight man these pix from the back of RiNo will certainly excite those of another calling.
I said to Bridget "Fuck paying 5 dollars for a photobooth when you can use the whole frame."
This is going to be Moog and Lindsey's Christmas card this year. Ho Ho!

Wanna Party? Our Pix of the Week.

2009-09-16T13:35:00.006-05:00

Thursday September 17m 2009- Our dear friends at Manor are hooking up with Stoli to launch the new flavor to incite a million hangovers "Stoli Gala Applik" which in our minds proposes the idea that everyone by the end of the night will be in a diabetic coma AND smashed. Why? Because the Stoli cocktails are FREE from 8-11 pm.
Proper dress is required and reservations can be made via: Reservations@manorchicago.com

We of course, are shooting the event which make it that much more magical.
Speaking of "magical". The closest thing to a Rock and Roll Circus is coming to the Metro on Saturday at 7:30 PM. The ever effervescent Perez Hilton is bringing our chums Semi Precious Weapons, Ladyhawke, and Ida Maria along with demons noobs Sliimy, FrankMusik, Eric Hutchinson and Julian Perretta to create house party with the best basement bands ever. This is the must-see event of the week in our feeble and addled minds.
Proper dress is discouraged.
And we, of course, will be there to capture all the glorious cunts and rockstars in their mania.

Tix are still available here!!!!

We're Honored! Formatmag puts us amongst the creme de la creme in Vegas.

2009-09-16T13:09:00.004-05:00

"A few weeks ago, Format flew down to MAGIC to exhibit the works of over 15 of the best event photographers throughout North America, in a show called OVEREXPOSED.

Exhibited on the main floor of MAGIC in the S.L.A.T.E. area, OVEREXPOSED featured the work of Annie Ray, Antwan Duncan, Christopher James, Clayton Hauck, Dance On Party, Darkroom Demons, Driven by Boredom, I Can’t Teach You How To Do It, KidRae254, Kid Paparazzi, Klicking and Screaming, Shark vs Bear, The Culture of Me, The Midnight Socialite, TONE, Tonedoc."

We were super excited to get involved with this projects, especially as we're in the crazy company of NYC's legendary Driven By Boredom and our Chicago homies Clayton Hauck and Sean Dorgan. Thanks to Daniel Ecker for keeping on us and making us feel like a couple of superstars!

Show of the Week: Moneypenny and Neon Indian

2009-09-07T13:14:00.003-05:00

As the great man Sam Peter said earlier today from his offices in NYC:

"Wow. Dope Neon Indian's DEBUT performance!
That is VEGA and his Girlfriend.
I highly suggest checking this out!"

We will be there in effect as Sir Reeves is the main man with the action plan.

Click HERE to RSVP!

NIN Set list. Chicago 08-29 (with Hot Links!)

2009-08-30T08:26:00.003-05:00

1. Home
2. The Beginning of the End
3. Survivalism
4. Heresy
5. March of the Pigs
6. Piggy
7. Metal (Gary Numan cover)
8. Ruiner
9. I'm Afraid Of Americans
10. Burn
11. Gave Up
12. La Mer
13. The Frail
14. I Do Not Want This
15. Gone, Still
16. Right Where It Belongs V.2
17. The Way Out Is Through
18. Wish
19. Mr. Self Destruct
20. Suck (Pigface cover)
21. Echoplex
22. The Good Soldier
23. Dead Souls (Joy Division cover)
24. Encore:
25. Reptile (with Peter Murphy)
26. A Strange Kind of Love (with Peter Murphy)
27. Final Solution (Pere Ubu cover) (with Peter Murphy)
28. Encore 2:
29. The Hand That Feeds
30. Head Like a Hole
31. Hurt

An Angry Cautionary Tale: DJ AM

2009-08-28T18:46:00.007-05:00

"New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain't always what it seems." - DJ AM, August 25th. Last Tweet. (from Grandmaster Flash's "NY, NY")

Just glancing at my flock feeds of Facebook and Twitter all I see are hundreds of tweets and status updates are shout outs to the master of the decks and now fallen Adam Goldstein aka DJ AM. That doesn't change the fact that I'm so spooked by his sudden passing, especially since it looks like a nasty situation. As a former AA participant who attended meetings with him when he was in town, this is the last thing anyone who knew him ever expected- His resolve for sobriety was so strong and contagious it hurts to think he did this to himself, especially since his new MTV show was about facing addiction with youngsters. And that's where I think part of the problem was. But until his camp comes out and says what's the real deal, I'm gonna play my anger and bitter disappointment close to the chest.

But it certainly brings up qualms about the power of AA versus the power of a person's will. After 3.2 years in the program, I became a firm believer that the further you stray from the chemicals that you crave, the more susceptible you are to a deadly dose further down the line. I also developed a deep seeded disdain for anything remotely religious or "spiritual"when it became obvious that no higher power was keeping people from falling to the dark side. I watched countless member's relapses turn fatal in the program and became increasingly numb to the announcement "so and so is no longer with us after ingesting Drano, Cocaine, Heroin and some Tums last weekend...blah blah blah."

Yet Adam was a shining light in the rooms of soot covered souls that hold hands in an effort to combat their inner demons. And therein lies the problem of recovery: There actually is very few scientific cures that are effective. It didn't take long for both doctors and addicts to realize the best way to get over their "sickness" was to talk about it. Unfortunately talking about it also breeds a need to relive it, hence the success rate of rehab only hits around 60% and they say anyone sober is 85% likely to relapse at some point. And its not beyond my shallow opinion that working with addicts can re-ignite the flame of selfish pursuits. Just walking down that path is always a risk. Its just unfortunate that with AM, the path proved treacherous.

Our condolences to all of his dear friends and family. You are already missed.

Show of the Week: Steel Panther

2009-08-27T10:06:00.003-05:00

There's not much I can write about LA's Sunset Strip residents Steel Panther other than it is one of the purest musical experiences of all time. They play this Sunday at Double Door and Gahdamn if we won't be rocking out to the glam based machinations of the best band that never was. I think if you're hestiating at all about this show, just check out our photos from when Kiefer Sutherland and the Panther rocked AK last spring and the poetic mastery of "Death to All But Metal."
Alright!
Yeah!
C-c-come on!

Fuck the Goo Goo Dolls, they can suck my balls
They look like the dogs that hang out at the mall

Eminem can suck it, so can Dr. Dre
They can suck each other just because they're gay
They can suck a dick, they can lick a sack
Everybody shout, "Heavy metal's back!"

Death to all but metal
Death to all but metal
Death to all but metal

Death to Papa Roach, Blink 182
All those fucking pussies sounds like doggy-doo
Wearing baggy pants, spiking up their hair
They're not worth the crust on my underwear

Where is Def Leppard? Where is Mötley Crüe?
Why do all my lyrics sound like Dr. Seuss?

Death to all but metal
Death to all but metal
Death to all but metal

Kills those fucking fuckheads who programme MTV
They can suck my ass with all the record companies

Death to Britney Spears, kill the little slut
Kill Madonna too and then fuck her in the butt
Fuck Mariah Carey, death to Sheryl Crowe
They can kiss each other on the camel toe
50 Cent's a fag, so is Kanye West
Shooting hot sperm on each others' chest

Death to all but metal
Death to all but metal
Death to all but metal

Fuck Yeah. See you there.

Steel Panther plays at the Double Door on Aug. 30. Doors at 9pm.

Party of the Year: The Red Haired Edition

2009-08-21T16:47:00.007-05:00

Fuck Lollapalooza. I'm not sayin it ain't great. But it still isn't a pureblood Chicago experience- What transpired at Debonair last Tuesday, however, was the gasoline flavored, PBR soaked madness that screamed Chicago with blood coming out of its eardrums and nostrils. Imagine Optimus Prime having sex with Anita Ekberg circa 1961 and you you might have a grasp of the awesomeness that unfolded. Scott Lucas (Who I have shamefully overlooked as one of the better vocalists in Chicago for the last decade) opened up with a scorching cover set including Daft Punk's "Da Funk", Echo and The Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon", Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust", a much more energetic version of King of Leon's "Sex on Fire" and the biggest surprise- Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You." Not to mention a few savory originals and thrashtastic tasty treats. By this time, the crowd was in a fervor with a shitton of new faces who came out to see this rock and roll circus, regardless of their familiarity with the man of the hour, Red Hair Matt. No matter though because Kill Hannah's Greg Corner and Jonny Radtke joined forces with Matt Skiba and Derek Grant from Alkaline Trio opened with Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself" feeding into Fugazi's "Waiting Room" and eventually brought up special guests Larry Damore (naked raygun, Pegboy), Red Hair Matt and Scott Lucas to join in on "Reach for My Revolver", The Misfits' "Skulls" and The Jim Carrol Band punk ballad "People Who Died."
When Larry mentioned he was gonna sing a Moby tune, we actually guffawed thinking he wasn't serious. But if any emotional bruises I have from naked raygun shows in the nineties will attest, never doubt Mr. Damore's serious intentions again. Yet I have been schooled by Joey Carsello of the Metro that "Reach for my Revolver" is indeed by Mission of Burma and Larry is just fucking with all of us. Who says you don't get funnier with age? By the end of the short set, with Debonair as crowded as can be upstairs, Dan Adriano materializes and plucks the bass from Greg to close out the night as Alkaline Trio, the best gift ever to both Red Hair Matt and the frothy mouthed crowd. It was a reminder that Chicago is still loud, gnarly and knows how to come together for the sake of a damn fine party. Even without mention of the afterparty (which plenty of bleary pictures are evidence of) it was by far our favorite jam of the summer so far. So hence, the Fuck Lollapalooza. Happy Birthday Murray. You're only 48 once.

Separated at Photoshop

2009-08-17T02:24:00.003-05:00

"Before"

"After"

Some Kardashians came wandering into town attempting to resemble the flyer above. Me smells poor impostors. Whadya think?

The Long Weekend...Snaps...

2009-08-08T14:05:00.003-05:00

It's only gonna get worse....

Lolla Afterpaty Schedule

2009-08-06T10:53:00.004-05:00

Its Christmas all over again!

Thursday, August 6th:

Entertainment Weekly Lounge 8-11 pm with Parachute LIVE @ Debonair Social Club (Invite Only)
Bonnie and Clyde's Boutique Pre-Lolla Party
Manor
Disappear Here with DJ Mom Jeans at AK Chicago
Backstage Thursdays at RiNo with Mix Master Mike
Debonair Social Club

Friday, August 7th

Arctic Monkeys @ The Metro
Mix Master Mike @ Manor
Fool's Gold with A-Trak @ Sonoteqhue
Angels and Kings (see flyer)
RiNo Lounge
Debonair Social Club

Saturday, August 8th

Angels and Kings
Manor
RiNo
Enclave
Debonair Social Club
???

And Sunday is a surprise. Kaff Kaff.

Clickable Comics Return!!!

2009-07-28T23:57:00.001-05:00

Kyoto Sushi

2009-07-26T23:52:00.003-05:00

While Sir Reeves was doing sake bombs in Japan, I shot the campaign for the best kept secret in Chicago.

Here some pics and my excerpt from their new campaign.

Lincoln Park’s KYOTO (2534 Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60614 773.477.2788) has finally reopened under new owners and has reemerged as the “tastefully simple” dark horse of local sushi. Kyoto offers a one two punch with the culinary creativity of identical twin chefs Melvin and Carlo Vizconde ( Formerly of Kamehachi and Kizoku). Customers can state their personal taste preferences upon arrival and then take delight in the individualized maki and sushi creations that the twins whip out. While the full menu offers standard sushi fare, it is the creative improvisations of the Vizcondes and “mom and pop” attitude that has diners spreading the positive word of mouth about this 60 person BYOB. Our favorite mouth watering originals? Try the Original Dynamite and the Creamy Maki: A mix of Rice, Smelt Roe, Mayonnaise, Shrimp Tempura, Crab, Unagi, and Honey wrapped perfectly in Avocado instead of rice paper.

The Tron Lebowski

2009-07-22T12:22:00.006-05:00

In an effort to keep our blog relatively, well relative to the world of film, counterculture and general awesomeness, I will be posting a shitton of more non-sequitir and internet mayhem that relates to us and our influences. And what better way to begin this again then to show this amazing real-life mash up of Jeff Bridges finest works "Tron" and "The Big Lebowski". Bridges shouted out via sattelite to the "Lebowski Fest Seattle" last night with a huge geek 'splosion by donning the old Flynn helmet while on-location finishing Tron 2. And seeing as the trailer premieres today in San Diego's Comicon, one can only sit back and wonder if Jeff Bridges is the greatest actor of all time.

Cheers to Harry Knowles and Crew for this one.

Also, this viral Kevin Flynn Site for Tron 2 just went up like hours ago...

Reason #467 to be excited for GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra

2009-07-21T19:11:00.002-05:00

G.I. JOE Delta 6 accelerator suit skate stunt from Rubber Man on Vimeo.

Unlike Bay and Transformers, it's all about the fun. Even when its Viral.

Beach Bums

2009-07-13T02:40:00.004-05:00

They Asked. They Get.

It's all Michael Jackson's Fault...

2009-07-06T02:28:00.006-05:00

"Brooke wore a fuckng poncho. Get me Webster!"

Sure, everyone is crying. And everyone else is throwing out their backs trying to do the moonwalk whenever the anonymous DJ of the night at the club throws in a little MJ action. But after some quiet reflection I realized that its all fucking Michael Jackson's fault. I'm not talking about my aversion to maturity or attraction to guyliner. Instead, I remembered a set of pictures my mom gave me in 1984; It was 2 glossy 4x6s of Michael Jackson at home and one pinup. One was him sitting on his brick steps, one in his kitchen and the other was him in a yellow cardigan vest and bow tie without the text from the similar poster that adorned every girl's bedroom wall at the time.

"Shamone!"

While the small version of the poster might not have fooled my eager MJ lovers in my 3rd grade class, the one of him casually hanging at home were the money shots (Alas, I spent days trying to find a scan of them on the web and no dice). When I busted 'em out during class, girls passed out and guys gave me glares that suggested I might be in trouble on the playground had I not been a vicious menace at the hockey rink. But it wasn't just the fact that the picture transported my imagination to a place where I was riding shotgun with MJ's in his newly installed personal Pirates of the Caribbean at Neverland, but moreso that I blatantly lied to my schoolmates and purported to take the photo myself. And that was the fucking moment that I might have realized my destiny to take pictures of interesting people, possibly for the sole reason that it was so fucking cool to see the look on other people's jealous faces.

Thanks Michael. I totally would have let you freak me out after I played in your arcade.

Black Eyed Please! A love note for Fergie (and Will.i.am)

2009-06-14T06:14:00.005-05:00

The only thing I have to say is that if more artists behaved like the Black Eyed Peas, the world would be an better place.

This is Not an Exit premieres tomorrow at AK!!!

2009-05-27T17:27:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow night is the launch of thisisnotanexit.com in the seedy basement of AK Chicago with appearances by ourselves, darkwave disco and many folks from the old Chicago Suicide Club. So come and get your Kevorkian groove on!

Get your groove on next week with Fader, Ghetto Division, and the Darkroom Demons

2009-05-22T15:34:00.004-05:00

Our friends at Fader cordially invite you to party with Bacardi, ourselves and other toe tappers to rock Evil Olive next week...

RSVP HERE!

Young Modern: (PR)eview

2009-05-16T13:41:00.005-05:00

So many pictures.. so little time. More to come....

Dan Deacon Live @ the Metro !!!

2009-05-11T10:32:00.001-05:00

Dan Deacon live at Metro 05.07.09 from Darkroom Demons on Vimeo.

The Human Experience: (PR)eview - Dan Deacon @ The Metro

2009-05-08T13:16:00.007-05:00

If you're a photographer, Dan Deacon is gold. If you're security at any venue he plays at, he is the devil's brother-in-law. I have never seen so many strangers be willing to touch each other and follow The Deacon's every command to the T. The crowd was like a sea of wavering lemmings- just wondering what to do next. He could invade a small country and conquer it with his fans.
Last night he brought back the chapel parade which he noted he had not done since the Hideout bloc party 2 years ago, which Sir Reeves shot below....

Wait until you see the VIDEOS. I'm sweating just thinking about it.

-Tyler

Upcoming Events for the Darkroom Demons

2009-05-07T06:41:00.003-05:00

Next Thursday, Justin from Semi-Precious Weapons (Reeves other family) will be performing at Manor for the Bonnie & Clyde's Uncensored Summer fashion show. A must see.

This Friday, after the Plain White T's Show @ the Metro, we join Derek Berry and party into the night in the Mainstage @ the Metro. This will be a wild little experiment so if you feel like a change of pace or can drag your ass out of Smartbar, come play with us. Sir Reeves will also be at AK that evening for the Plain White T's Afterparty.

Also, we are at the Metro ALL weekend with Dan Deacon, Plain White T's, The Horrors, The Kills and we'll be at some afterparty with some guy named Wentz.

"Fuck More" by Junkie XL feat. Tommie Sunshine, Daniella and more!!!

2009-05-06T16:00:00.003-05:00

This will be the hot song for hipsters/lovers/videogame enthusiasts this summer. Junkie XL has recruited our beloved Tommie Sunshine, his fairest in the land Daniella M., and even a Bronques cameo for this bad ass video.

Hey Champ live at SxSW

2009-05-04T10:25:00.001-05:00

Hey Champ live at SXSW from Darkroom Demons on Vimeo.

More morsels leftover on a stuffed memory card from Sir Reeve's jaunt in Austin, Tx.

Clickable Comics! Spring Fling edition!!!

2009-05-04T05:19:00.001-05:00

Semi Precious Weapons perform Magnetic Baby at SXSW

2009-04-29T08:09:00.000-05:00

Magnetic Baby Live at SXSW from Darkroom Demons on Vimeo.

Check out our favorite glam rockers from NYC peforming live at SXSW.....they will be opening for Lady Gaga in NYC this weekend and lead weapon Justin Tranter will be in Chicago for the Bonnie and Clyde's Summer Fashion show at Manor on 05/140/09. Don't miss it!! Follow him on twitter: @preciousweapons

Clickable Comics! "24" edition

2009-04-22T22:02:00.002-05:00

Our New Favorite Celebrity is....

2009-04-16T21:39:00.001-05:00

By Day

By Night

Clickable Comics! Easter Egg Edition..

2009-04-15T16:50:00.003-05:00

P(R)eview: The Presets/ KDM

2009-04-09T12:08:00.010-05:00

Another amazing night at Chicago's musical wonderland, the Metro. Did you know if you're in the front row you can get bar service from a smiling server? When the beers flew past me in the photo pit I realized I have yet to experience many things. Amazing! Despite being completely confused by the opener Golden Filter (I couldn't tell if the lead singer was 22 or 82...nor if any of their songs were their own...) The Presets scorched the crowd with "Talk like that" as their opener followed by "Yippio-ay". I was exhausted by the 3rd song I didn't even want to take pictures anymore. The grandest thing was I couldn't remember the last time I saw so much lighting on stage for 2 guys. They had 14 Entour Mac 250s on stage with a huge light wall and leds for all you lighting geeks. Booka Shade might have had intense strobes, but The Presets had tactile brain destruction rolling out in every color. Beautifully done, mates.

KDM proved to be better than alright with some surprise appearance that made the night: Millionaire$Mano, Hollywood Holt, Caiti G., Jessie Lynne and q101's half-a-Manno. Jimmy O slammed some PBRs, waved goodbye and kidnapped Brandon's girlfriend to New York. This all ended seemingly well with two Irish-American asshole left wing socialists yelling about Obama at 2:30 in the morning. "Hey kids, welcome to the back of RiNo!! Its the Morgan and Tyler minute!" My apologies to anyone who had to swallow that vomit-inducing discussion. I've decided I will leave the politics at home next time and beef up on my Tolstoy or Joyce.

Four Seasons Chicago rocks a Demon pic across the nation!

2009-04-03T15:08:00.004-05:00

Today in USA Today's Lifestyle section, an great article about Four Seasons Chicago Executive Chef (and friend of the Darkroom Demons) Kevin Hickey. The photo takes up a quarter page of the paper. And the coolest part? It's in a paper that knows no boundaries and is read in airports everywhere. You check the article out online here.

Major props to Terri Hickey and Kevin Hickey (No relation. Seriously) at the Four Seasons for keeping us in the mix.

P(R)eview: KDM's B-Day bash for Ephraim as Just Desserts makes his RiNo debut

2009-04-02T22:37:00.003-05:00

Hang in there Ephraim! If April Fool's was any indication, its gonna be a long birthday week. Kudos to DJ Just Desserts aka Clayton Hauck, who apparently has picked up some serato knowledge from all them DJs he runs across the country with. Great Job!

Layne Staley has been dead for 7 years...

2009-04-01T14:40:00.004-05:00

Last night on my way home from a gig shooting food at Market, I was admiring the massive amount of umbrellas that were carrying legs beneath them. And then it made me think about Seattle. I wondered if everyone there had an umbrella attached at their belt like a lightsaber. And then I was working away today and "Nutshell" came on by Alice in Chains. What a downer of a brilliant song. And then it hit me. Layne Staley died this week 7 years ago. April 5th, 2002.

We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home

Oooh...Oooh...
Oooh...Oooh...

My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet I find
And yet I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead

Oooh...Oooh...
Oooh...Oooh...

Couldn't have seen that coming. Layne, you are missed.

Spring Preview @ Bonnie & Clyde's: The "Rose Tint My World" Edition

2009-03-30T13:28:00.007-05:00

A little mixer at Couture Botique Bonnie & Clyde the other night led my substitute camera to overexpose every photo taken that evening. Hence, I have adjust the night's catch to look as the world looks through my eyes after watching Rocky Horror Picture Show: Rose Tinted.

Thanks to Stephen, Sharon, Eric and Kenneth for making me feel fashionable and poor.

P(R)eview: Booka Shade @ Metro Chicago

2009-03-27T15:52:00.012-05:00

No words can possibly describe the energy that pulsated with every beat thrown down by the German electronica wunderband, Booka Shade at the Metro on Thursday night. In an effort to remain completely irrelevant, I only discovered them three weeks ago when I was combing through the Metro's amazing-as-always spring lineup. Once I gave the Mp3 a listen, I was transported to a world that Moby only wish he could create.

It was a strange night. I had just come from the fashion mixer at Bonnie and Clyde. Dressed in my standard Ben Sherman/ H&M hybrid hippie suit, I reckon I must have looked like a clockwork Victorian rockstar with all those cameras hanging off my dapper vest driven ensemble. Upon my emergence on to the venue floor, just past the sign warning "Tonight's Performance will contain Intense Strobe Lights", people looked at me like I was Darth Vader boarding their trip. Its been a long time since I was at a rave, and I soon realized that I had become the old man/ police officer/ voyage destroyer I so desperately tried to avoid back in my dumber days. Fuck it. At least I had a Kamera! My shoot probably would have gone smoother had Booka begun on time and not 40 minutes late. By the time they went on, I was surrounded by the sweet smell of exxed-out peaking frat boys and a few unruly Germans. I actually became concerned for my recently reconstructed elbow and fled to the balcony like a little girl with a scraped knee after getting thrashed by some douches with light hoops around their necks. Luckily, the kind gentleman Aaron and his buddies gave me a prime spot at the balcony where I got the best of the photos for the night. Cheers to them!

Granted that an act like this attracts a "water drinking "crowd, but the fact is that the sinister dance party that ensued rivaled those found at a Tiesto, Chemical Brothers or Crystal Method show. And with a siezure inducing light show, I sincerely thought the roof was going to blow off the Metro during "Charolette." Electronica groups can be hit or miss, especially if the performers lose themselves behind keyboards, Macbooks, and mixing boards. Fortunately, Booka Shade is not that group. The incoroporation of psychadelic video mixing, strobes, and rockstar energy reminded me how great those kids on the floor must have felt. Next time at a show like this, I might have to leave my battle scars and Sith outfit at the door.

Nah...Fuck it. I have a Kamera.
I need to give thanks to the anonymous tatooed bar maven upstairs for keeping me stocked with ice for my elbow. It was my port in the storm.

The Importance of Dark Wave Disco, Kuroma, and Primal Scream: An Essay

2009-03-26T18:00:00.014-05:00

Over at le chateau de darkroom demons, we are in full recovery mode. It seems that every day it gets warmer, we are getting busier and more squirrels are terrorizing little old ladies. As Sir Reeves coddles his body back from the supernova rockstar shock that was SXSW, I have begun to re-learn how to shoot with these infernal contraptions known as "Kameras". I have been in the warm lull of my wife's delightful pampering and a heavy pharmaceutical hum for four months now and need to break the habit of doing nothing. I figured its time for a little introspection about the importance of three bands that were at the Metro last Sunday.

Darkwave Disco

DJs Greg Corner, Mark Gertz and Trancid have been part of our blood lines for as long as we've taken pictures in Chicago. Kill Hannah took me on the road when I didn't even know how to shoot. (The only thing that has changed is now I have bigger cameras that I don't know how to use.) I knew the night at The Metro was going to be mentally misappropriated by all parties involved when the first words upon Darkwave's arrival were "What are you drinking?" and "We're going to go out on the roof next to the marquee and shoot a picture."

'Wonderful.' I thought. 'I haven't taken a picture in 3 months and now my boys are gonna hang me over a ledge 16 feet off the ground." Friends like these, indeed!

In fact, if it wasn't for an off-hand remark from Greg years ago, I would still be shooting douchebags in Ed Hardy and Affliction for some small local nightlife pamphlet.

On a dark and stormy night outside Crobar in 2006, Mat Devine, Greg and I met up and he said "You just missed The Cobrasnake. You need to do something like that." (Until then, I had always thought a Cobra was just a fairly lethal reptile in India or Sylvester Stallone character lost in time.) Obviously, I didn't follow his advice directly , but I heeded his words and soon went on to blackmail Sir Reeves into becoming the better-dressed half of our demonic endeavors and embarking on this indulgent photographic sojourn.

KUROMA

Reeves called me from Austin to tell me about this amazing group fronted by former Whigs founder Hank Sullivant. Widely considered the brother of MGMT, this alternate universe 1960's pyschedelia scorcher quickly has become my remedy for the Kings of Leon fever from last year. Their appearance at the Metro was preluded by a deafening silence and muddled confusion from the audience waiting for Bobby Gillespie and his sonic screamadelica. So I took it upon myself to walk over while they we greeted by the silence to tell them I heard they lit Austin on Fire. Hank looked at me and a nostalgic "pfffft" came out. behind a smirk of satisfaction. They looked at each other and began whispering "Austin was just sick." "Man, you have no idea." By the end of the set, the crowd had shifted from mild appreciation to full blown frenzy, screaming their heads off for a band that is proving to be the one to watch in Rock and Roll this year. Not since the late great Wolfmother's only album have I been so intrigued by Kuroma's first effort "Paris". (Fact: Hank Sullivant had recorded the album before putting the band together. Wow.)

Primal Scream

On July 2nd, 1994 my parents threw a lavish dinner party for myself and my college mate in honor of his first trip to Chicago. After the yorkshire puddings, rare roast beef, beet salad and sorbet, my buddy quietly slipped me a hit of the year's best LSD, "Jesus Christ". It would be an evening of unforgettable firsts: It would be the first time I would attend a concert at the Metro in Chicago; It was the first time I had taken acid; It was the first time I would see my then favorite band, Primal Scream; and most importantly, it would be the first time I would see a T-rex in my rearview mirror. While I could wax on how Bobby Gillespie turned into a 6 -foot reptile and the crown moldings of the Metro are actually living and breathing creatures, its more important to know that I will never forget the day I fell in love with the Metro. And to be invited to shoot Primal Scream 15 years later is a feeling of such serendipity that I can finally ignore all the terrifying Jacob's Ladder moments that have haunted me ever since.

Thanks to the Metro, Dark Wave Disco, Oliver Thomas, and SmartBar for a seriously amazing night.

Darkroom Demons make the cut on Perez's video footage

2009-03-24T08:39:00.002-05:00

Nightlife photographers get their due in this little short!
Sir Reeves is in the FIRST SHOT (0:17) If you're having a hard time, he is the Man behind the camera shooting the 3 queens (Perez and the Indigo Girls)! Look for a cameo of Lastnightsparty's very own Caligula aka Merlin Bronques at 3:45.

Rad.

Thanks for all the love Dell and Perez!

Our little Secret is finally revealed!

2009-03-23T19:27:00.003-05:00

The cat is finally out of the bag....Sir Reeves was asked to be Perez's official photog for the One Night in Austin at SXSW on Saturday night. We couldn't jinx it by telling anyone but now we are so psyched to have over 50 party pics on Perezhilton.com! Be sure to check back here for the full posts tomorrow night...

SxSw: Appetizers til next week's Entree

2009-03-21T15:19:00.007-05:00

Matt and Kim

Matt

Followers rule.

Chicago Bump and Grind with Kim

Flosstradamus!

Kim rides the wave

Ethan "Randy Hickey" Suplee!

The ever hot Juliette Lewis and the New Romantics

Perez Hilton assaulting Justin's Semi Precious Weapon

Sir Reeves is continuing his assault on Austin as I endure my last week of Solitary Confinement. There is so much earth shattering material coming out of SXSW that I can't even talk about it until its all said and done. This week is going to be a hell of a time in pictures. We'd like to thank Sam at Cornertstone, Bronques from Lastnightsparty.com, Matt and Kim, Flosstradamus,Igor from Driven by Boredom, Fader Magazine, Perez Hilton, Kanye West, Green Label Music, Semi Precious Weapons, Shiny Toy Guns, Hey Champ, Daniel B., and countless others in advance of the antics you will witness in just a few days time....

Sneak Preview: SXSW and Tokyo Police Club

2009-03-19T12:51:00.004-05:00

Little Boots

Flosstradamus

Ellei J. "ShadowScene.com"

Tokyo Police Club

Tokyo Bath House

Andrew & Andrew

Kid Sister

The Fader Fort aka Megaton from "Fallout 3"

Coming Soon to Darkroom Demons!

2009-03-18T12:17:00.003-05:00

To quote the worst movie about life with rockstars ever (Almost Famous):

"It's all happening."

Sir Reeves has arrived in Austin and actaully has a place to lay his head that is not covered in bodily fluids and I am nearly back with camera after my 3 month rehabilitation. To get back in shape, I will be practicing my stuff at the Metro for a couple of stellar shows: Tokyo Police Club, Primal Scream, and Booka Shade while Reeves plays with our pals Semi Precious Weapons, Hey Champ, Matt and Kim, Flosstradamus, Kid Sister and many more! The next few weeks are going to be insane so be sure to keep up with us as we try to keep up with ourselves.

Now Playing at Darkroom Demons!

2009-03-09T02:59:00.008-05:00

Click the poster to enlarge!

This week we have new galleries from KDM @ RiNo (which is playing now), Shiny Toy Guns secret show, Claychella @ Debonair and Much Much More! Be sure to catch a double feature on Friday afternoons when all our popcorn is guaranteed douche-free!

Also, Darkroom Demons has just gotten a facelift! Now you can clearly follow us on MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our RSS blog feed which keeps you in the know when our new galleries go up and our pop culture sensibilities are going crazy! Be sure to click the RSS so you can know exactly when the party we shot you at is up!

Note to our regular viewers: It seems many of you are having trouble taking pictures off the site. Here's a hint: Read the instructions below the picture. It tells you to "Right Click to Save the Image". I don't know what else to tell you. Ok, you're right: The font IS small and I understand you couldn't see it. Whatever.

Poubelle is coming....

2009-03-09T02:55:00.002-05:00

It has begun. It will arrive. You will be happy. More details coming soon.

And now a word from our Sponsor: Tron on Ice!

2009-03-06T15:49:00.006-06:00

So Heaven Malone from Chicago Suicide Club just sent me a message that he saw Disney's Magic Kingdom on Ice in 1983 which featured a lengthy Tron segment. Neon, sequins and Christmas lights, oh my! I nearly peed myself when I found the commercial on youtube. Then I got wind of this techno recap of the original movie by Shinjiro. Music ain't all that, but its got the meat and potatoes of the film in 5 minutes if you have no idea what I'm rambling about.

Madonna signs Ed Hardy deal....loses all credibility with fashion world

2009-03-06T13:07:00.010-06:00

I never thought it would happen. Madonna has stepped backwards in time and signed a deal with Ed Hardy to produce a new line of shirts that will be seen on douchebags everywhere, thus breathing more life into the corpse that is Ed Hardy. The coincidence here is that we were about to put up a link to the Ed Hardy Celeb Gallery last week but instead chose to give the our site a facelift (coming next week). But now is that time: Click on the title or this link and see Christian Audigier jump in front of the camera whenever there's a celebrity near him. If you are like us and have taste, you will have hours of enjoyment and gut busting laughter surfing through this "Celebrity" gallery. Be sure to stop by Febuary 2007 to see what Obama's take on being an Ed Hardy lover is...

Here's a few highlights:

Disclaimer: My wife still stands by her purchase of several pieces of the 2005 EH collection. And because I love her, I have to pick on everybody else. Sorry guys.

-TC

New York's hip-hop king....Photos by Tone

2009-03-05T22:58:00.008-06:00

Most party photographers know each other if their work is too cool for school. And in NY, many are taking great pictures but TONE is the one who is standing out on the Hip-Hop scene. His use of close range double flashes with tight f-stops make most of his work feel really polished. And seeing as he just revamped his website, we felt it was high time for a plug. There is certainly a coffee table book behind him, and more great photos in front of him.

All photos copyright TONE o9.

Daft Punk goes to the Game Grid

2009-03-05T10:32:00.007-06:00

The robotic duo sans helmets..

It's all happening. The film that made my childhood greta was not Star Wars. It was the one sci-fi fantasy flick I could relate to: As an Atari lover, an arcade junkie, and future futurist, Tron made more sense than Star Wars. It was deeper, with corporate sabotage and embezzlement at the center of a visual masterpiece that was created by combining black and white photography with nearly nine layers of animation and film effects (one of them unintentional) and throwing the infant known as Computer Generated Imaging in the mix. Oh, and did I mention its a role that Jeff Bridges still claims as one of his all time favorites? And he is starring in the new one as both Flynn and CLU (Flynn's younger avatar). Yes, The Dude abides. The whole movie is being shot in 3-D, a thing that Disney is getting VERY good at, and John Lasseter, (Head of Pixar, and now head of all Animation for the Mouse) is lending some of his team's talents to ensure that this cult classic's sequeal knocks it out of the ballpark in the summer of 2011. And with today's announcement of Wendy Carlos's job being filled by a certain French duo.... I think we're gonna see that more and more people realize that 20 years before the Matrix, Tron was killing it on the Game Grid.

End of Line.

Save the Date...Literally. Darkroom Demons are at SXSW!

2009-03-04T20:17:00.005-06:00

Well, one demon that is... Sir Reeves is going to Texas for SXSW while I continue my medical sabbatical in Chicago. If you're planning on being in Austin in a few weeks, stop in at Opal Divine's on Thursday, March 19th and see some Chicago kids throw down (i.e. Flosstradamus, Sir Reeves). Our friends at Cornerstone throw the best parties ever, so I expect the photos to be an orgy of sweat and sound.

If you can't make it to Austin, stop by Claychella this Saturday March 7th at Debonair Social Club to catch Floss play "Happy Birthday to Clayton" 20 times in a row! We will be there subjecting ourselves to many a pint in honor of our fellow shooter.

Sneak Preview....Shiny Toy Guns

2009-03-04T02:10:00.005-06:00

Last week, Sir Reeves took me out on a date to AK and the Shiny Toy Guns secret show on Hooker Street. As always, trouble ensued and the Wife nearly had me balls in a sling. But there are some highlights comin' tomorrow....Enjoy for now, fellow eyeliners.

"This is so and so's assistant calling to invite you to..."

2009-03-03T19:07:00.013-06:00

Today was peculiar- I received two phone calls within an hour of each other from 2 major production companys inviting me personally (by way of someone's assistant) to 2 different soirees. It's insulting enough that the guys behind the calls in question both have my personal phone numbers and doled out the interns to annoy me, but its even more troublesome that I realized this might be the end of the Mass Text/ Junk Mail invite.

In the Ninth Level of Financial Hell that we're living in, its impersonal for business owners to send out mass SMS's or e-mails due to the backlash or lack of interest. A phonecall, however, forces the recipient actively RSVP. Smart move.

But there's more to it: Since when did the club promoter become so busy that they can't take 2 minutes out of their day and tell me they want me to bring my camera to their event instead of letting me assume that was the hidden message in the tea leaves after hanging up with their snot nosed intern? Maybe I'm ungrateful, but I just ate it on the concrete and scraped both palms, twisted my knee and NO ONE LAUGHED. The World is truly joyless.

However, I'm sure all those in Ed Hardy are extremely happy to get such phone calls.

"Bro. Dude. You'll never guess who called me today!"

-TC

Diamonds, Bikinis + Guyliner = Semi Precious Weapons

2009-03-02T01:47:00.002-06:00

As Reeves gets ready for Semi Precious Weapons in SXSW, I can only sit on my good arm and beat off to the fuck-rock furious sounds of "New York's Finest Band", imagining all the beautiful things these guys will do in Austin in front of the camera. Yeah, they're that good.

So eat this Justin Hyte directed video and lick your fingers of all from the new blood of Rock and Roll.

You can see their performance at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago last month HERE.

-Tyler

Joey Lawrence Shows Us How He Spent Our Money

2009-03-01T01:41:00.002-06:00

Joey Lawrence is quickly becoming one of Canada's better exports with a career that started when he was 18 and now he's shooting posters for Twilight, the Jonas Brothers and Fiddy Cent. He made a ton of dough with a $300 video seminar that isn't available anymore which exploited his self taught Photoshop techniques that have landed him a fairly intense and exciting career so far... But I keep scratching my head... I mean, didn't Dave Hill do it first?

The Simpsons in Real Life

2009-02-26T14:14:00.004-06:00

Its a nasty day out there and nothing cheers one up when its gloomy like the Simpsons. Leave it to the Brits who matched the cartoon's opening almost shot for shot. It would have been cool to see Maggie pop out of the bag, but seeing Bart cruise through the townsfolk like Bleeding Gums Murphy makes it worth it the one minute running time. Sure, some stuff is missing but the impact is the same. Chew on it while we get some big news about SXSW together and finalize some other wild shoots.

"My mouth tastes like burning!" - Ralph Wiggum

Digging up the Past - New Depeche Mode

2009-02-25T15:03:00.006-06:00

Today Perez Hilton posted the extremely disturbing video for the Mode's new single "Wrong". I can't live with being a total copycat so here's the song from the Echo Awards in Berlin.

Long live the late 80's!

Pee Wee Keeps Us Off The Crack

2009-02-24T18:44:00.003-06:00

Today, Igor over at Driven by Boredom posted five links about random awesome shit. One of those pointed to "Everybody's on Cocaine" from the 9 weirdest PSAs ever at the Huffington Post Upon watching several I couldn't help but think of both Reeve's and my adoration for Pee Wee Herman. Gay as that may sound, this PSA is something that came from the basement of the Alamo and its message is as strong today as it was when Paul Reubens was serving out his community service for ejaculating in a private video boot in a porno shop.

Bet Chairy was covered in his spunk.

Letters to Uncle Karl....Part one

2009-02-22T05:42:00.005-06:00

As I am on day 21 of my 3 month lock down for receiving my new bionic elbow, I have taken it upon myself to see how far up these series of tubes I can reach. So far, I have discovered that our heroes and enemies are not so far away. Case in Point: I have friended Karl Lagerfeld on facebook. Many of you cry sham, but I assure you that the robot has input on this one.

I was recently turned on to Karl Lagerfeld's Guide to Life by model/ intelligentsia Bridget Ahern. In his blog last week, he spoke of his "ugly cleansing" being undertaken by his assistant Anna. The gist is to remove the unsighlty ghouls from his friends list so that it all looks copacetic. I rejoiced, popped a bottle of Chateu de Douche 2008 (Ed Hardy label) and slew a few sly comments on his guide and lit up his facebook.

But why now? What besides his secret awesomeness had compelled me to harass a known public figure whom I have never met? Was it my jealousy to cobrasnake's constant rapport with hin every time he showed in Paris? Nah. I actually think my urge came subconsciously when I dusted of Grand Theft Auto IV last week and popped it in for the first time since last July.

Ce qui la baise, dites-vous ?

Yes, that's right. To all you little fuckers that don't think video games are cool: Unca Karl is a DJ in the game, dishing out some sweet hairy insults and lovely euro dance tunes of his choosing. Nothing like killing a bunch of slope headed slavs in a oil refinery to "Get on up and do it again" by Suzy Q. Why? Because Uncle Karl knows better than all of us.

I apologize in advance for writing about the past to Uncle Karl, who is a purebred futurist.

The Importance of Color Correction...Exposing the real picture.

2009-02-21T05:09:00.008-06:00

So the other day we posted a blog with preview pics sent to us from our good friends Danny and Stefano at Kid Dangerous of the Summer Line they produced for us. I put these pictures everywhere and something started bothering me. I could barely put my finger on it until I realized they hadn't been balanced in post. I brushed some cobwebs off my old rusty noggin and remembered on of the most important lessons I learned from pro designer and photographer, John Preskitt. He had shown me the perfect and quickest way to balance a jpeg that looked otherwise lost... Results are in. Its amazing how much we can overlook...

Before

After

Before

After

Get those color levels even people. I get so annoyed when I see overly warm pics where everyone is so tan, and so are their teeth. Not to mention that we just discovered our t-shirts are nice and thin and actually WHITE, not faded yellow.

My Release Date from my Hospital Prison is set.

2009-02-19T15:11:00.002-06:00

Collaboration is king. Especially when you know peeps like Clayton Hauck and Ryan Mitchell. A fine example of a dope debaucherous time, all the while Mr. Hauck gets drunker and drunker as the music blares in honor of his aging process. I might even bring a little camera while Reeves hauls around the big Cannon! :)

darkroom demons featured (kinda) on the Real World: Brooklyn

2009-02-18T18:44:00.005-06:00

Our NYC muse Burning Angel Jessie Lee keeps bringing us good mojo. From our Limited Edition Vintage Tee shirt featuring her in all her hot crouched glory pose to the photo Sir Reeves shot that is on her birthday invite, which appeared on Episode 6 of MTV's the Real World Season 90: Brooklyn Heights, Jessie Lee is proving to be a subtle force of sexual nature, as captured by the indomiably talented Mr. Matthew Reeves. We were proud to see that our reach is growing...even if its ever so subtly in a 3 second clip. The full size image is below, full of hotness.

Photographer's Rights thrown out the window by clicking "I agree" to Facebook's new Terms of Use

2009-02-15T20:55:00.003-06:00

The headline says it all. If you are a photographer in any capacity and think you own your photos once their posted on facebook, think again.

Thanks to Harper for Twittering the shit out of this one.

The effects of Narcotics and the Force

2009-02-10T10:41:00.002-06:00

Chad Vader is always welcome at our parties. This reminded me of my first few days after getting a new elbow so I thought I'd share seeing as it keeps with yesterday's theme.

Dancing with The Star....Wars.

2009-02-09T17:18:00.003-06:00

My childhood becomes blurred with this amalgamation of all things awesome. FF to 3:00 minute mark for the Sith/Zombie Masterpiece.

Equality Illinois Justice for All Gala silent auction item #007: Us.

2009-02-08T23:35:00.007-06:00

This weekend, we were honored to contribute the Equality Illinois Justice for All Gala, the largest Midwest black tie fundraiser for equal rights ( Think Prop 8 ) for our friends in the Gay, Lesbian, BiSexual and Transgender crowds.
It was hosted by Jim Madigan and had newly elected Govenor Pat Quinn as a guest speaker.
We are looking forward to discover who bought our "services" (ahem...) for three hours. Hope its a GLBT purchase. Otherwise, we better get our tuxes on for a droll wedding shoot. Coolest thing is that we were on a table with a tour of ABC studios.

Speaking of Gay Rights... I saw MILK today. Is there any reason to live in America when our best leaders are shot by cowards and health care keeps people in shit jobs all their lives? "Land of the Free" is becoming a pipe dream. Obama better step up or I'm moving to France.

Special Thanks To Tracy Katz Muhl and Jim Madigan!

As Seen on TV: The God Awful Grammys

2009-02-08T22:00:00.003-06:00

"Hi! My band isn't as good as my acting but I was paid alot of money to introduce Lil' Wayne." - Mr. Gary Sinese

"You can see my hat from the top of any building." - Jimmy Jams
"Girls make my mic go like this." - NE-Yo

Last night I was subjected to the horror show that was the Grammy's. It was fun twittering with Dj Dan Suh and realizing how close the apocalypse really is. Point in Case? Bob Dylan is now selling Pepsi. Robert Plant has become the annoying uncle that won't shut up and Katy Perry was forgotten. The Motown Set, Radiohead and the Bo Diddley Tribute were worth admission, Sir Paul also put up his dukes. But Neil Diamond should go into rapping cause he sure as Hell ain't singing. As I was reminded how many Americans were watching to see Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney before their nightly cross burnings, I started digging out some old pics of peeps that were on tonight's show. The Ne-Yo is hilarious because barely anyone knew who he was when I shot him, myself included.

Tropicana Towers: Exploring The Wire and Slumdog

2009-02-08T01:44:00.004-06:00

So while Sir Reeves is out gallivanting and burning the candle at both ends, I am sequestered in my apartment inhaling every movie and tv show I've missed. This week was filled with Oscar screeners dropped off by a generous and caring friend and good ol' Netflix. I have become obsessed with "The Wire" and "Slumdog Millionaire". The result is me hitting up a few old pics of Cabrini Green with some tropical thunder and believing that no matter how awful life can get- a beautiful day is still a beautiful day.